Even the legislators of the coalition made it clear that this political interference raises many questions which could undermine the faith in the financial sector. MP Jerrel Pawiroredjo (NPS) expressed his shock and urged the government to present an explanation. “We are puzzled by it,” said MP Pawiroredjo as he referred to the plans to fire the members of the board who do not have any ties to the government. “We would prefer an explanation from the president and most certainly the minister of Finance,” said MP Pawiroredjo. MP Asiskumar Gajadien (VHP), chairman of the faction of the VHP, claimed that the developments at Self Reliance portray how the government handles power and institutions. He made it clear that the government’s 40% stake in the insurance company does not give it carte blanche. “That is not good governance. That is taking governance apart from the inside,” said the legislator from the opposition who also expressed concern about the role of the watchdog namely the Central Bank of Suriname. MP Gajadien pointed out that it “seems that there is a growing amount of pressure on the supervision of the Central Bank. “What we see is unacceptable. There are rules that apply to society. I think that we cannot allow political power to undermine financial institutions,” said MP Gajadien.

There are reportedly six people on the board of directors at Self Reliance. Four of them are independent while two were appointed by the government. The appointment of the two people must still be approved by the Central Bank of Suriname. President Jennifer Simons recently announced in a letter that she would like the departure of the independent members to be placed on the agenda. At the beginning of April the chairman of the board confirmed that there was a formal request to organize a meeting of shareholders.